IBB mandates cameras on all school transport vehicles from 2026

Post by : Meena Rani

In a recent decision at the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IBB) Transportation Coordination Center (UKOME), authorities have made it mandatory to equip all school vehicles with cameras and recording devices. The decision, finalized during a meeting held at the Disaster Coordination Center (AKOM) in Eyüpsultan, was chaired by IBB Deputy Secretary-General Pelin Alpkökin.

The move is part of a broader initiative to enhance safety and monitoring in public and private transportation across the city. Currently, taxis, minibuses, and shared taxis are already monitored via cameras linked to the Public Transportation Monitoring and Management Center. The new directive extends similar monitoring systems to school vehicles, aiming to strengthen oversight and ensure the safety of students.

Regulatory Updates for School Transportation

As part of the implementation process, UKOME has proposed an amendment to the first article of the School Transportation Vehicles Regulation. The revised regulation will stipulate:

"School vehicles shall be equipped with internal and external cameras and recording devices positioned to cover all seats, in accordance with the technical, equipment, installation, and operational requirements specified in the Highway Traffic Regulation and the Regulation on Vehicle Manufacture, Modification, and Installation."

This change ensures that school buses and vans meet standardized technical and operational requirements, aligning with city-wide transport monitoring practices. The regulations cover camera positioning, installation standards, and operational protocols, ensuring continuous and comprehensive monitoring of student travel.

Unanimous Approval and Implementation Timeline

During the UKOME meeting, the proposal to mandate cameras on school transport vehicles received unanimous support. The authorities emphasized that this measure is a critical step toward improving safety standards and accountability in school transport operations.

The decision is set to take effect in 2026, following the completion of official signing and procedural formalities. This timeline allows schools and transport operators to prepare for compliance, ensuring the technical installation of cameras meets all regulatory requirements before full enforcement.

Background: Safety and Monitoring in Istanbul Transport

Istanbul, as one of the largest cities in Europe, faces unique transportation challenges due to its dense population and extensive public transport network. In recent years, the city has increased its focus on leveraging technology to enhance safety, monitoring, and efficiency in transport systems.

The integration of cameras in taxis, minibuses, and shared taxis has already provided significant benefits, including rapid incident reporting, traffic management, and improved passenger security. Extending this system to school vehicles addresses growing concerns among parents and education authorities about student safety during commutes.

Expected Benefits and Public Response

Officials anticipate that mandatory cameras on school transport vehicles will:

• Deter inappropriate or unsafe behavior on buses.

• Provide clear evidence in case of incidents involving students or staff.

• Enhance monitoring capabilities for city authorities to enforce safety regulations.

The decision has been welcomed by parent associations and school transport providers, who see it as a proactive measure to protect children and improve overall accountability.

The Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality’s move to equip school vehicles with internal and external cameras marks a significant step toward modernizing the city’s transport safety infrastructure. With full implementation expected in 2026, this initiative aligns with Istanbul’s broader objectives of ensuring public safety, monitoring compliance, and leveraging technology to create a safer urban transport environment for all.

Istanbul school transport cameras, IBB UKOME decision, school bus safety Istanbul